Slide guide for rifles

ABSTRACT

A gas operated auto-loading rifle having a longitudinally reciprocating slide connected to and operating the breech bolt of the rifle is provided with slide guide means that prevents significant lateral and vertical movement of the slide during its to-and-fro longitudinal travel and also insures proper positioning of the slide block with respect to the gas pipe of the rifle barrel when the slide is at its forwardmost position. The slide guide comprises a channel-shaped member that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipe to adjacent the receiver, the bottom wall and upstanding side walls of the channel-shaped member being disposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfaces of the slide block. Means are provided for securing the forward end of the channel-shaped member to the barrel in position relative to the gas pipe to insure that the slide block and the gas pipe are disposed in cooperating operational relationship when the slide is at its forward position, and means are provided for securing the rearward end of the channel-shaped member at the receiver. The channel-shaped member serves to guide the reciprocating slide block and to protect and reinforce the forearm of the stock of the rifle.

United States Patent [191 Ruger et al.

[111 3,857,323 Dec. 31, 1974 SLIDE GUIDE FOR RIFLES [75] Inventors:William B. Ruger, Southport; Harry H. Sefried, II, New Haven, both ofConn.

[73] Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., Southport,

Conn.

22 Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 293,757

[52] U.S. Cl. 89/191 R, 42/71v R [51]. Int. Cl. F4ld 5/10 [58] Field ofSearch 42/71 R, 75 A; 89/191 R, 89/192, 193, 196

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,291,690 1/1919 Smith89/191 2,355,768 8/1944 Williams 89/191 2,685,754 8/1954 Crittendon etal. 89/191. 3,715,955 2/1973 Folley-et al. 89/193 PrimaryExaminerStephen Bentley Atto'rney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds 57ABSTRACT A gas operated auto-loading rifle having a longitudinallyreciprocating slide connected to and operating the breech bolt of therifle is provided with slide guide means that prevents significantlateral and vertical movement of the slide during its to-and-frolongitudi nal travel and also insures proper'positioning of the slideblock with respect to the gas pipe of the rifle barrel when the slide isat its forwardmost position The slide guide comprisesa channel-shapedmember that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipe toadjacent the receiver, the bottom wall and upstanding side walls of thechannel-shaped member being disposed in close proximity to the bottomand side surfaces of the slide block. Means are provided for securingthe forward end of the channel-shaped member to the barrel in positionrelative to the gas pipe to insure that the slide block and the gas pipeare disposed in cooperating operational relationship when the slide isat its forward position, and means are provided for securing therearward end of the channel-shaped member at the receiver. Thechannel-shaped member serves to guide the reciprocating'slide block andto protect and reinforce the forearm of the stock of the rifle.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED BEES 1 I974 SHEET 1 UF 3 PATENTEDUEBB 1 I974 sum 3 a; 3

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to gas operated auto-loading rifles.

2. The Prior Art Gas operated auto-loading rifles of the type to whichthe present invention relates have a barrel, a receiver on which thebarrel is mounted, a breech bolt mounted in the receiver behind thebarrel, a trigger and related parts, a magazine, and a mechanismactuated by powder'combustion gases when the rifle is fired whichoperates the bolt to extract and eject the spent cartridge case and toinsert a fresh cartridge in the chamber of the rifle barrel. A gas pipeis disposed below the barrel generally parallel thereto, and the barrelis formed with a gas port that communicates with the bore and with thegas pipe so that powder gases from the bore are directed to thegas-actuated bolt operating mechanism associated with the gas pipe. Themechanism for operating the bolt comprises a longitudinally movableslide having a slide handle portion that is connected to the bolt and aslide block portion that is disposed adjacent the gas pipe when theslide spring moves the slide to its forward position. When the slide isat its forward position, the slide block is in position to be actedupon, directly or indirectly, by the powder gases entering the gas pipewhen the rifle is tired so as to drive the slide rearwardly against thecompression of the slide spring and thus operate the bolt in the mannerdescribed.

The slide moves longitudinally at great speed to its rearward positionand then to its forward position when the rifle is fired, andmalfunctioning and damage to the mechanism will occur unless'the highspeed reciprocating travel of the slide, and in particular the slideblock, is contained and controlled. In conventional autoloading riflesof the type to which the invention relates the slide block is providedwith slide block guide means for guiding the slide block as it travelsbetween the gas pipe and the receiver of the rifle. The slide blockguide usually comprises a longitudinally disposed rod or similar memberwhich extends through a longitudinal hole formed in the slide block,theguide rod being secured at its forward end to the gas block on whichthe gas pipe is mounted and at its rearward end to the receiver of therifle. As the slide guide rod and the gas pipe cannot occupy the samearea or space they must be vertically spaced from one another, and theslide block must have sufficient vertical depth to accommodate thecorrespondingly vertically spaced slide guide rod hole. This, in turn,means that the stock forearm in which the slide block and slide guiderod are received must be bulky enough and deep enough to accommodatethese deep and bulky parts.

The inherent bulkiness of the stock forearm of conventional mediumcaliber automatic rifles (for example, the .30 caliber M 14 rifle) isnot objectional as it is in correct proportion to the size of the othercomponents of these relatively large rifles; However, when it is desiredto build a smaller and lighter scaled down automatic rifle that firessmaller caliber high power ammunition (say, .223 caliber ammunition),the inherent bulkiness of the stock forearm required by the slide blockand slide guide rod results in a rifle the proportions and handlingcharacteristics of which make the rifle unacceptable to most shooters,As a result of an extensive investigation into the problems involved inthe design and manufacture of a reliable scaled down automatic rifle forsmall caliber high power ammuni tion having acceptable proportions andhandling characteristics, we have now devised an improved slide guidefor the slide block of such rifles which eliminates the bulky guide rodof conventional rifles while providing added protection andreinforcement to the stock forearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved slide guide means of the inventionis applicable to the previously described type of gas operatedautoloading rifle having a slide which is acted upon, directly orindirectly, by powder gases entering gas gas pipe of the rifle when therifle is tired so as to drive the slide rearwardly against thecompression of the slide spring and thus'operate the bolt in the mannerdescribed. Basically, the slide guide means comprises an elongatedgenerally channel-shaped member that extends along the slide fromadjacent the gas pipe to adjacent the receiver of the rifle, the bottomwall and upstanding side walls of the channel-shaped member beingdisposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfaces of the slideblock to prevent significant lateral or vertical movement whilepermitting longitudinal movement of the slide block. Means are providedfor securing the forward end of the channel-shaped member to the barrelin position relative to the gas pipe to insure that the coacting slidedrive means associated with the slide block and the gas pipe aredisposed in operational relationship when the slide is moved to itsforward position, and means are provided for securing the rearward endof the channel-shaped member to the rifle at the receiver.Advantageously, the slide block is provided with a pair of upper guideears that extend upwardly on opposite sides of the slide block in closeproximity to the opposite side surfaces of the barrel to preventsignificant lateral movement of the upper part of the slide block as itmoves longitudinally with respect to the barrel.

The rifle usually is provided with a stock and stock forearm, theforearm being formed with a channelshaped longitudinal recess in whichthe channel-shaped slide guide member is received, the slide guidemember thus serving as a liner that protects and reinforces the forearm.A U-shaped end cap is advantageously secured to the forward end of thechannel-shaped slide guide member, the forward end of the slide guidemember and the end cap defining a rearward facing U- shaped recess inwhich the forward end of the forearm is received. The gas pipe isusually mounted on a gas block that is secured to the barrel, the gasblock advantageously being provided with rearwardly extending slideguide locating lugs and with a rearwardly extending locating ledge thatis disposed radially outwardly with respect to said locating lugs, thelocating lugs and the locating ledge of the gas block engaging andpositioning the forward end of the slide guide member accurately withrespect to the gas pipe. Other structural features and advantages of ournew slide guide means will be apparent from the following detaileddescription thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The slide guide means .of theinvention will be better understood from the following descriptionthereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an autoloading rifle embodyingthe invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the vertical plane intersecting thelongitudinal center line of the forearm portion of the rifle of FIG. 1showing an advantageous form of coacting slide drive means in which thegas pipe is provided with a stationary piston portion that is receivedin a forward facing gas chamber formed in the slide block,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the forearm and gas blockportions of the rifle of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 66 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectionalview similar to FIG. 2 showing anotheradvantageous form of coacting slide drive means in which alongitudinally movable piston is disposed in the gas pipe, the movablepiston having a rearward extension that contacts the slide block, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing yetanother advantageous form of coacting slide drive means in which alongitudinally movable piston is disposed in the gas pipe, the slideblock having a forward extension that contacts the movable piston.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown best in FIG. 1, the principal externallyvisible components of a typical gas operated auto-loading rifle to whichthe present invention relates include a barrel 10, a receiver 11 towhich the barrel is secured, a longitudinally movable bolt 12 mounted inthe receiver ll behind the barrel 10, a longitudinally movable slide 13having a slide cocking handle 14 that is connected to the bolt 12, atrigger 16 for operating the firing mechanism (not shown), a magazinelatch 17, a stock 18 having a stock forearm 19, a forearm upper handguard 20, a gas block 21 having a block clamp portion 22, and a rearsight 23. The stock 18 is formed with a vertical slot or cutout portion(not shown) in which the firing mechanism associated with the trigger 16and the magazine associated with the magazine latch 17 are received, thevertical slot in the stock 18 being provided with a stock reinforcinglining 24 (a fragment of which is shown in FIG. 2) that flts in andlines the slot, thereby protecting and reinforcing the stock in thisarea.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the barrel is formed with a gas port25 which communicates with the bore 26 of the barrel and with a gaspassageway 27 formed in the gas block 21. A gas port bushing 28 isdisposed between the gas port 25 and the gas passageway 27, and arearward facing gas pipe 29 of relatively small diameter is secured tothe gas block 21 in communication with the gas passageway 27 thereof.The gas port bushing 28 is received in matching recesses formed in thebarrel l0 and the gas block 21, and the block clamp 22 is securelyfastened to the gas block 21, thereby insuring permanent alignment ofthe gas passageways of the gas port, the port bushing and the gas block.In both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the gas pipe 30 ismounted on the gas block 21 and is of relatively large diameter'so thata longitudinally movable piston may be disposed within the gas pipe ashereinafter described. The gas port bushing 28 extends through a snughole formed in the gas block 21 and is received in matching recessesformed in the barrel 10 and the gas pipe 30, thereby insuring permanentalignment of the gas passageways of the gas port, the port bushing andthe gas pipe 30. In all embodiments the gas pipes.

29 and 30 are disposed below the barrel 10 generally parallel to thebore or the longitudinal axis of the barrel. The forward end of the gaspipe 29 is effectively closed off by the gas block 21 in the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, and the forward end of the gas pipes 30 are effectivelyclosed off by the screw plugs 31 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and9. The rearward ends of the gas pipes are provided with openings thefunction of which is hereinafter explained.

The bolt 12 may be of any of the known types that are operated by a gaspowered reciprocating slide mechanism, and advantageously it is amodified M14 type action as shown in FIG. 1. The slide 13 has anexternal cocking handle 14 that, as noted, is operatably connected tothe bolt 12 and an internal slide block 32 (shown best in FIG. 2) thatis disposed beneath the barrel 10 within the stock forearm 19, theexternal and internal portions of the slide 13 being securely fastenedtogether at junction point 33. Thus, when the slide block 32 moveslongitudinally from its forward position to its rearward position andreturn, the bolt 12 is caused to reciprocate in like manner. A slidespring 34 is provided for urging the longitudinally movable slide 13toward its forward position,- the rearward portion of the spring 34being mounted on the spring guide rod 35 secured to the receiver 11 andthe forward portion thereof being received in the longitudinallyelongated spring receiving recess 36 formed in the slide block 32.Coacting slide drive means are associated with the gas pipe and with theslide block -32, the slide drive means driving or propelling the slide13 rearwardly against the compression of the slide spring 34 when powdercombustion gases enter the gas pipe through the gas port 25. Thus, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the rearward end of the gas pipe 29 isprovided with a rearward facing stationary piston portion 37 having alongitudinal hole extending therethrough, and the slide block 32 isformed with a forward facing gas chamber 39 in which the rearward facingpiston portion 37 of the gas pipe 29 is received when the slide 13 is atits forwardmost position. When the rifle is fired, the slide 13 ispropelled rearwardly by the action of powder combustion gases from thegas pipe 29 against the slide block 32 and then forwardly by thepressure of the slide spring 34 against the slide block 32, thereciprocating travel of the slide 13 operating the bolt 12 to extractand eject the spent cartridge case and to insert a fresh cartridge inthe chamber 40 of the rifle barrel 10.

As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the improved slide guide of theinvention comprises an elongated channelshaped member 42 that extendsalong the slide 13 from adjacent the gas pipe 29 to adjacent thereceiver 11. The bottom wall 43 and the upwardly extending side walls 44and 45 of the channel-shaped member 42 are disposed in close proximityto the corresponding bottom and side surfaces of the slide block 32, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, so as to prevent significant vertical or lateralmovement while permitting free longitudinal movement of the slide block32. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom wall 43 of thechannel-shaped member 42 is provided with alongitudinal rib 43a disposedon the inner surface thereof on which the slide block 32 rides, and theside walls 44 and 45 are provided with longitudinal ribs 44a and 45adisposed on the inner surfaces thereof in virtual contact with thecorresponding side surfaces of the slide block 32, as shown best in FIG.6. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slide block 32 isadvantageously provided with a pair of upper guide ears 46 and 47 whichextend upwardly on opposite sides of the slide block in close proximityto the corresponding side surfaces of the barrel 10, thereby helpingprevent unwanted lateral movementor wobble of the slide block as ittravels longitudinally to-and-fro beneath the barrel 10. Thus, when thechannel-shaped member 42 is correctly positioned and secured in placebeneath the barrel 10, the rapid reciprocating travel of the slide block32 is contained and controlled with consequent improved reliability ofand reduced wear and tear on the autoloading mechanism.

Means are provided for securing the'forward end of the channel-shapedmember 42 to the barrel in position relative to the gas pipe to insurethat the coacting slide drive means of the slide and the gas pipe aredisposed in opertional relationship adjacent each other (andspecifically in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 that the piston portion37 of the gas pipe 29 is received in the gas chamber 38 of the slideblock 32) when the slide is moved to its forward position, and means arealso provided for securing the rearward end of the channel-shaped memberat the receiver.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the means forsecuring and positioning the forward end of the channel-shaped member 42relative to the barrel 10 advantageously includes a U-shaped end cap 48that is secured to the forward end of the channebshaped member 42,advantageously by means of the three radially extending cap fasteningtabs 50 of the member 42 and the two longitudinally extending guidefastening tabs 51 of the end cap 48. As shown best in FIG. 3, the gasblock 21 is provided with three rearwardly extending slide guidelocating lugs 53 and with a rearwardly extending U-shaped locating ledge54 disposed radially outwardly with respect to the locating lugs 53. Asshown best in FIG. 4, the locating lugs 53 are positioned to engage theinner peripheral surface of the channel-shaped member 42 and thelocating ledge 54 is positioned to engage the outer peripheral surfaceof the U-shaped end cap 48, thereby securing the forward end of theslide guide to the barrel 10 in its correct position relative to'the gaspipe as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Also in the preferred embodiment, themeans for securing and positioning the rearward end of the channelshapedmember 42 at the receiver 11 comprises a rearward extension 56 of thechannel-shaped member 42 by means of which the slide guide is secured inplace at the receiver 11. In this embodiment, as shown best in FIG. 2,the stock reinforcing liner 24 is provided with a forwardly extendingslide guide extension retaining lip 57 that engages the rearwardextension 56 of the channel-shaped member 42 and secures it in placeagainst the stock 18. Moreover, as shown best in FIG. 7, the receiver 11is advantageously formed with an extension receiving recess'58 in whichthe rearward extension 56 of the channel-shaped member 42 and theextension retaining lip 57 of the liner 24 are received, the stock 18holding the retaining lip 57 and the rearward extension 56 in place inthe recess 58. Advantageously, the lateral dimension or width of therearward extension 56 is approximately the same as the lateral dimensionof the recess 58 so that lateral movement of slide guide relative to thereceiver is prevented.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the coacting slidedrive means of the gas pipe 30 and the slide block 32 comprises thepiston 60 mounted for longitudinal travel within thegas pipe 30, thepiston having a rearward extension 61 that extends through the rearwardopenings 63 formed in the gas pipe 30. The rearward extension 61 of thepiston 60 contacts the forward facing surface of the slide block 32 whenthe slide block is at its forwardmost position as shown in FIG. 8.Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, thecoactingslide drive means of the gas pipe 30 and the slide block 32comprises the piston 64 mounted for longitudinal travel within the gaspipe 30. The slide block 32 has a forward extension 65 that extendsthrough the opening 63 when the slide 13 is at its forwardmost position,the forward extension 65 contacting the piston 64 as shown in FIG. 9. Inboth embodiments, when a cartridge is fired, powder combustion gasesenter the gas pipe 30 through the gas port 25, and these gases drive thepistons 60 and 64 rearwardly, and consequently propel the slide block 32and the slide 13 rearwardly, in the manner well understood in the art. 1

The stock 18 is usually made of wood (for example walnut), althoughmetal and molded plastic resins are also commonly employed for thispurpose, the stock 18 being secured to the receiver 1 l by a bolt orother conventional fastening means. In the preferred embodiment shown inthe drawingsthe stock 18 has a forearm portion 19 that is formed with achannel-shaped longitudinal recess 60 in which the channelshaped member42 of the slide guide is received. The forward end portion 19a of theforearm 19 is received in the rearward facing U-shaped recess defined bythe channel-shaped member 42 and the U-shaped end cap 48. As noted, theforward end of the channel-shaped member 42 and the end cap 48 aresecured to the barrel 10 by means of the locating lugs 53 and thelocating ledge 54 of the gas block 21, and as a result the forward endof the'forearrn 19 is also secured to the barrel 10 by the gas block 21.Thus, it will be seen that the channel-shaped member 42 not only servesto guide the reciprocating slide block 32 but also serves as a liner forthe forearm 19 which protects and strongly reinforces the forearm.

When the stock 18 and forearm 19 are made of wood, the channel-shapedmember 42 is a separate part that fits fairly freely in thechannel-shaped longitudinal recess 60 of the forearm 19. In this case,the forward end of the channel-shaped member 42 is secured to theforward portion 19a of the forearm 19 by means of the U-shaped end cap48, and the rearward end of the channel-shaped member 42 is secured tothe stock 18 by means of the extension retaining lip 57 of the stockliner 31. When the stock 18 and stock forearm 19 are made of metal or ofa molded plastic resin, the channelshaped member 42 is advantageously anintegral part of the forearm 19 which is permanently fastened or bondedthereto in the course of manufacture of these parts. In order to protectthe reciprocating slide block 32 from dirt and other extraneous debris,and in order to protect the shooters hand from possible injury or burns,the rifle is advantageously provided with a forearm hand guard 20 thatis secured to the rifle in the manner shown best in FIGS. 2 and 4 of thedrawings.

The improved slide guide of the invention eliminates the need for theconventional slide guide rod that normally extends through the slideblock below the gas pipe longitudinally from the gas block to thereceiver, thus greatly reducing the depth and bulk of the forearm 19 inwhich the reciprocating slide block 32 is contained. In addition, thespring receiving recess 36 of the slide block 32 is advantageouslydisposed in vertically overlapping relationship with respect to the gaspipe as shown best in FIGS. 2, 6, 8 and 9, thus further reducing therequired depth and bulk of the forearm l9.

We claim:

1. In a gas operated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, a barrelsecured to the receiver, a gas pipe mounted on the barrel with the axisthereof generally parallel to the bore of the barrel, the gas pipe beingclosed at its forward end and having an opening at its rearward end, agas port for powder combustion gases formed in the side wall of thebarrel and communicating with the bore of the barrel and with the gaspipe, a bolt slidably mounted for longitudinal travel in the receiverbehind the barrel, a slide having a slide handle connected to the boltand a slide block disposed adjacent the opening at the rearward endofthe gas pipe, said slide being movable longitudinally with respect tothe barrel from a forward position at which the bolt is closed to arearward position at which the bolt is open, a slide spring urging theslide to its forward bolt closed position, co-acting slide drive meansassociated with the slide and the gas pipe for driving the slide to itsrearward bolt open position when powder combustion gases enter the gaspipe, and guide means for guiding the slide block, the improvement whichcomprises;

slide guide means for guiding the slide block as the slide moveslongitudinally with respect to the barrel, said guide means comprising:

an elongated generally channel-shaped member that is disposed beneaththe barrel and that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipeto adjacent the receiver, said channel-shaped member having a bottomwall, two side walls and an open top, the bottom wall and the upstandingside walls of the channel-shaped members being disposed in closeproximity to the bottom and side surfaces of the slide block and theunderside of the barrel being disposed in close proximity to the topsurface of the slide block whereby said bottom wall and side walls ofthe channel-shaped member and the underside of the barrel cooperate toguide the slide block and to maintain it in alignment with the gas pipeas the slide moves longitudinally with respect to the barrel,

means for releasably securing the forward end of the channel-shapedmember to the barrel in position relative to the gas pipe to insure thatthe co-acting slide drive means of the slide and the gas pipe aredisposed in operational relationship when the slide is moved to itsforward position, and

means for releasably securing the rearward end of the channel-shapedmember at the receiver.

2. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the slide block is providedwith a pair of upper guide ears that extend upwardly on opposite sidesof said slide block in close proximity to the corresponding oppositeside surfaces of the barrel. I

3. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the rifle has a stock andstock forearm, the forearm being formed with a channel-shapedlongitudinal recess in which the channel-shaped slide guide member isreceived, said slide guide member serving as a liner that protects andreinforces said forearm.

4. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the gas pipe has a rearwardfacing stationary piston portion disposed at the rearward end thereof,said stationary piston portion having a longitudinal hole extendingtherethrough, and in which the slide block is formed with a forwardfacing gas chamber in which the rearward facing stationary pistonportion of the gas pipe is received when the slide is at its forwardposition.

5. The rifle according to claim 1 in which a movable piston is mountedfor longitudinal travel within the gas pipe, said movable piston beingdriven rearwardly when powder combustion gases enter the gas pipe, saidmovable piston having a rearward extension that extends through therearward opening of the gas pipe, and in which the forward end of theslide block contacts the rearward extension of the movable piston whenthe slide is at its forward position.

6. The rifle according to claim 1 in which a movable piston is mountedfor longitudinal travel within the gas pipe, said movable piston beingdriven rearwardly when powder combustion gases enter the gas pipe, andin which the forward end of the slide block is provided with a forwardextension that extends through the rearward opening of the gas pipe andcontacts the movable piston within the gas pipe when the slide is at itsfor-' ward position.

7. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the slide spring is acompression coil spring the rearward end of which is mounted on thereceiver and the forward portion of which is received in a longitudinalspring receiving recess formed in the slide block, the springreceivingrecess being disposed in vertically overlapping relationship withrespect to the gas pipe, the forward end of said spring receiving recessbeing located in the slide block a short distance rearwardly from the'rearward end of said gas pipe.

8. In a gas operated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, a stock andstock forearm, a barrel secured to the receiver, a gas pipe mounted onthe barrel with the axis thereof generally parallel to'the bore of thebarrel, the gas pipe being closed at its forward end and having anopening at its rearward end, a gas port for powder combustion gasesformed in the side wall of the barrel and communicating with the bore ofthe barrel and with the gas pipe, a bolt slidably mounted forlongitudinal travel in the receiver behind the barrel, a slide having aslide handle connected to the bolt and a slide block disposed adjacentthe opening at the rearward end of the gas pipe, said slide beingmovable longitudinally with respect to the barrel from a forwardposition at which the bolt is closed to a rearward position at which thebolt is open, a slide spring urging the slide to its forward bolt closedposition, co-acting slide drive means associated with the slide and thegas pipe for driving the slide to its rearward bolt open position whenpowder combustion gases enter the gas pipe, and guide means for guidingthe slide block as the slide moves longitudinally with respect to thebarrel, the improvement in slide guide means which comprises:

- an elongated generally channel-shaped member that is disposed beneaththe barrel and that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipeto adjacent the receiver, means for releasably securing the forward endof the channel-shaped member to the barrel in position relative to thegas pipe to insure that the co-acting slide drive means of the slide andthe gas pipe are disposed in operational relationship when the slide ismoved to its forward position, and means for releasably securing therearward end of the channel-shaped member at the receiver, saidchannel-shaped member having a bottom wall, two side walls and an opentop, the bottom wall and upstanding side walls of the channel-shapedmember being disposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfacesof the slide block, said bottom wall and the underside of the barrelcooperating to prevent significant vertical movement of the slide blockand said side walls cooperating to prevent significant lateral movementof the slide block while permitting free longitudinal movement thereof,

the stock forearm being formed with a channelshaped longitudinal recessin which the channelshaped slide guide member is received, said slideguide member serving as a liner that protects and reinforces saidforearm, and a U-shaped end cap being secured to the forward end of thechannelshaped'slide guide member, the forward end portion of thechannel-shaped member and the U- shaped end cap defining a rearwardfacing U- shaped recess in which the forward end of the forearm isreceived.

9. In a gas operated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, a barrelsecured to. the receiver, a gas pipe mounted on the barrel with the'axisthereof generally parallel to the bore of the barrel, the gas pipe beingclosed at its forward end and having an opening at its rearward end, agas port for powder combustion gases formed in the side wall of thebarrel and communicating with the bore of the barrel and with the gaspipe, a bolt slidably mounted for longitudinal travel in the receiverbehind the barrel, a slide having a slide handle connected to the boltand a slide block disposed adjacent the opening at the rearward end ofthe gas pipe, said slide being movable longitudinally with respect tothe barrel from a forward position at which the bolt is closed to arearward position at which the bolt is open, a slide spring urging theslide to its forward bolt closed position, co-acting slide drive meansassociatedwith the slide and the gas pipe for driving the slide to itsrearward bolt open position when powder combustion gases enter the gaspipe, and guide means for guiding the slide block as the slide moveslongitudinally with respect to the barrel, the improvement in slideguide means which comprises;

an elongated generally channel-shaped memberthat is disposed beneath thebarreland that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipe toadjacent the receiver, means for releasably securing the forward end ofthe channel-shaped member to the barrel in position relative to the gaspipe to insure that the co-acting slide drive means of the slide and thegas pipe are disposed in operational relationship when the slide ismoved to its forward position, and means for releasably securing therearward end of the channel-shaped member at the receiver, saidchannel-shaped member having a bottom wall, two side walls and an opentop, the bottom wall and upstanding side walls of the channel-shapedmember being disposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfacesof the slide block, said bottom wall and the underside of the barrelcooperating to prevent significant vertical movement of the slide blockand said side walls cooperating to prevent significant lateral movementof the slide block while permitting free longitudinal movement thereof,the inner surfaces of the bottom and side walls of the channel-shapedmember being formed with longitudinally extending guide ribs disposed inclose proximity to the corresponding bottom and side surfaces of theslide block.

10. The rifle according to claim 9 in which the gas pipe is mounted on agas block which is mounted on the barrel, and in which the gas block isprovided with rearwardly extending slide guide locating lugs, saidlocating lugs engaging the forward endof the channel-shaped slide guidemember and positioning said forward end relative to said gas pipe.

11. The rifle according to claim 10 in which a U- shaped end cap' issecured to the forward end of the channel-shaped slide guide member andin which the lower periphery of the gas block is formed with arearwardly extending U-shaped slide guide locating ledge disposedradially outwardly with respect to said slide guide locating lugs, saidlocatingledgeengaging the outer peripheral surface of the U-shaped endcap and said locating lugs engaging the inner peripheralsurface of thesaid channel-shaped slide guide member.

12. The rifle according to claim 11 in which the rifle has a stock andstock forearm, the forearm being formed with a channel-shapedlongitudinal recess in which the channel-shaped slide guide member isreceived, and in which the forward end portion of the channel-shapedmember and the U-shaped end cap define a rearward facing U-shaped recessin which the forward end of the forearm is received.

1. In a gas operated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, a barrelsecured to the receiver, a gas pipe mounted on the barrel with the axisthereof generally parallel to the bore of the barrel, the gas pipe beingclosed at its forward end and having an opening at its rearward end, agas port for powder combustion gases formed in the side wall of thebarrel and communicating with the bore of the barrel and with the gaspipe, a bolt slidably mounted for longitudinal travel in the receiverbehind the barrel, a slide having a slide handle connected to the boltand a slide block disposed adjacent the opening at the rearward end ofthe gas pipe, said slide being movable longitudinally with respect tothe barrel from a forward position at which the bolt is closed to arearward position at which the bolt is open, a slide spring urging theslide to its forward bolt closed position, co-acting slide drive meansassociated with the slide and the gas pipe for driving the slide to itsrearward bolt open position when powder combustion gases enter the gaspipe, and guide means for guiding the slide block, the improvement whichcomprises; slide guide means for guiding the slide block as the slidemoves longitudinally with respect to the barrel, said guide meanscomprising: an elongated generally channel-shaped member that isdisposed beneath the barrel and that extends along the slide fromadjacent the gas pipe to adjacent the receiver, said channelshapedmember having a bottom wall, two side walls and an open top, the bottomwall and the upstanding side walls of the channel-shaped members beingdisposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfaces of the slideblock and the underside of the barrel being disposed in close proximityto the top surface of the slide block whereby said bottom wall and sidewalls of the channel-shaped member and the underside of the barrelcooperate to guide the slide block and to maintain it in alignment withthe gas pipe as the slide moves longitudinally with respect to thebarrel, means for releasably securing the forward end of thechannelshaped member to the barrel in position relative to the gas pipeto insure that the co-acting slide drive means of the slide and the gaspipe are disposed in operational relationship when the slide is moved toits forward position, and means for releasably securing the rearward endof the channelshaped member at the receiver.
 2. The rifle according toclaim 1 in which the slide block is provided with a pair of upper guideears that extend upwardly on opposite sides of said slide block in closeproximity to the corresponding opposite side surfaces of the barrel. 3.The rifle according to claim 1 in which the rifle has a stock and stockforearm, the forearm being formed with a channel-shaped longitudinalrecess in which the channel-shaped slide guide member is received, saidslide guide member serving as a liner that protects and reinforces saidforearm.
 4. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the gas pipe has arearward facing stationary piston portion disposed at the rearward endthereof, said stationary piston portion having a longitudinal holeextending therethrough, and in which the slide block is formed with aforward facing gas chamber in which the rearward facing stationarypiston portion of the gas pipe is received when the slide is at itsforward position.
 5. The rifle according to claim 1 in which a movablepiston is mounted for longitudinal travel within the gas pipe, saidmovable piston being driven rearwardly when powder combustion gasesenter the gas pipe, said movable piston having a rearward extension thatextends through the rearward opening of the gas pipe, and in which theforward end of the slide block contacts the rearward extension of themovable piston when the slide is at its forward position.
 6. The rifleaccording to claim 1 in which a movable piston is mounted forlongitudinal travel within the gas pipe, said movable piston beingdriven rearwardly when powder combustion gases enter the gas pipe, andin which the forward end of the slide block is provided with a forwardextension that extends through the rearward opening of the gas pipe andcontacts the movable piston within the gas pipe when the slide is at itsforward position.
 7. The rifle according to claim 1 in which the slidespring is a compression coil spring the rearward end of which is mountedon the receiver and the forward portion of which is received in alongitudinal spring receiving recess formed in the slide block, thespring receiving recess being disposed in vertically overlappingrelationship with respeCt to the gas pipe, the forward end of saidspring receiving recess being located in the slide block a shortdistance rearwardly from the rearward end of said gas pipe.
 8. In a gasoperated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, a stock and stockforearm, a barrel secured to the receiver, a gas pipe mounted on thebarrel with the axis thereof generally parallel to the bore of thebarrel, the gas pipe being closed at its forward end and having anopening at its rearward end, a gas port for powder combustion gasesformed in the side wall of the barrel and communicating with the bore ofthe barrel and with the gas pipe, a bolt slidably mounted forlongitudinal travel in the receiver behind the barrel, a slide having aslide handle connected to the bolt and a slide block disposed adjacentthe opening at the rearward end of the gas pipe, said slide beingmovable longitudinally with respect to the barrel from a forwardposition at which the bolt is closed to a rearward position at which thebolt is open, a slide spring urging the slide to its forward bolt closedposition, co-acting slide drive means associated with the slide and thegas pipe for driving the slide to its rearward bolt open position whenpowder combustion gases enter the gas pipe, and guide means for guidingthe slide block as the slide moves longitudinally with respect to thebarrel, the improvement in slide guide means which comprises: anelongated generally channel-shaped member that is disposed beneath thebarrel and that extends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipe toadjacent the receiver, means for releasably securing the forward end ofthe channel-shaped member to the barrel in position relative to the gaspipe to insure that the co-acting slide drive means of the slide and thegas pipe are disposed in operational relationship when the slide ismoved to its forward position, and means for releasably securing therearward end of the channel-shaped member at the receiver, saidchannel-shaped member having a bottom wall, two side walls and an opentop, the bottom wall and upstanding side walls of the channel-shapedmember being disposed in close proximity to the bottom and side surfacesof the slide block, said bottom wall and the underside of the barrelcooperating to prevent significant vertical movement of the slide blockand said side walls cooperating to prevent significant lateral movementof the slide block while permitting free longitudinal movement thereof,the stock forearm being formed with a channel-shaped longitudinal recessin which the channel-shaped slide guide member is received, said slideguide member serving as a liner that protects and reinforces saidforearm, and a U-shaped end cap being secured to the forward end of thechannel-shaped slide guide member, the forward end portion of thechannel-shaped member and the U-shaped end cap defining a rearwardfacing U-shaped recess in which the forward end of the forearm isreceived.
 9. In a gas operated auto-loading rifle having a receiver, abarrel secured to the receiver, a gas pipe mounted on the barrel withthe axis thereof generally parallel to the bore of the barrel, the gaspipe being closed at its forward end and having an opening at itsrearward end, a gas port for powder combustion gases formed in the sidewall of the barrel and communicating with the bore of the barrel andwith the gas pipe, a bolt slidably mounted for longitudinal travel inthe receiver behind the barrel, a slide having a slide handle connectedto the bolt and a slide block disposed adjacent the opening at therearward end of the gas pipe, said slide being movable longitudinallywith respect to the barrel from a forward position at which the bolt isclosed to a rearward position at which the bolt is open, a slide springurging the slide to its forward bolt closed position, co-acting slidedrive means associated with the slide and the gas pipe for driving theslide to its rearward bolt open position when powder combustion gasesenter the gas pipe, aNd guide means for guiding the slide block as theslide moves longitudinally with respect to the barrel, the improvementin slide guide means which comprises; an elongated generallychannel-shaped member that is disposed beneath the barrel and thatextends along the slide from adjacent the gas pipe to adjacent thereceiver, means for releasably securing the forward end of thechannel-shaped member to the barrel in position relative to the gas pipeto insure that the co-acting slide drive means of the slide and the gaspipe are disposed in operational relationship when the slide is moved toits forward position, and means for releasably securing the rearward endof the channel-shaped member at the receiver, said channel-shaped memberhaving a bottom wall, two side walls and an open top, the bottom walland upstanding side walls of the channel-shaped member being disposed inclose proximity to the bottom and side surfaces of the slide block, saidbottom wall and the underside of the barrel cooperating to preventsignificant vertical movement of the slide block and said side wallscooperating to prevent significant lateral movement of the slide blockwhile permitting free longitudinal movement thereof, the inner surfacesof the bottom and side walls of the channel-shaped member being formedwith longitudinally extending guide ribs disposed in close proximity tothe corresponding bottom and side surfaces of the slide block.
 10. Therifle according to claim 9 in which the gas pipe is mounted on a gasblock which is mounted on the barrel, and in which the gas block isprovided with rearwardly extending slide guide locating lugs, saidlocating lugs engaging the forward end of the channel-shaped slide guidemember and positioning said forward end relative to said gas pipe. 11.The rifle according to claim 10 in which a U-shaped end cap is securedto the forward end of the channel-shaped slide guide member and in whichthe lower periphery of the gas block is formed with a rearwardlyextending U-shaped slide guide locating ledge disposed radiallyoutwardly with respect to said slide guide locating lugs, said locatingledge engaging the outer peripheral surface of the U-shaped end cap andsaid locating lugs engaging the inner peripheral surface of the saidchannel-shaped slide guide member.
 12. The rifle according to claim 11in which the rifle has a stock and stock forearm, the forearm beingformed with a channel-shaped longitudinal recess in which thechannel-shaped slide guide member is received, and in which the forwardend portion of the channel-shaped member and the U-shaped end cap definea rearward facing U-shaped recess in which the forward end of theforearm is received.